There I was, fuming in my car in a mega traffic jam and trying ever so hard to keep my temper as my children fretted in the back seat. We were off to the beach and, as is now the norm, were bogged down in Mellieha due to the roadwork still going on in the Mellieha Bypass. At least I was off for a few hours of relaxation. I pity those Gozitans who have to drive over to Malta on a daily basis and those Maltese who need to travel to Gozo for work commitments. It is useless speaking to the Authorities about the matter. They will only give you facts and figures. I suggest a few words with deliverymen whose work in Gozo is regularly delayed by hours. I suggest a conversation with somebody who has to go to the Gozo Court and who has been admonished for turning up late. I suggest discussing the issue with employees who have to explain to their employer why they are repeatedly arriving late. Why not a few words with the shop and restaurant owners in Mellieha to discuss the downturn in their business. One of my favourite restaurants is in Mellieha; however, since the work has commenced I have only had occasion to visit once. I cannot conceivably think in terms of going to this restaurant without knowing what time I will arrive and what time I will return home.
What makes matters worse is that the road network keeps changing. One day it is one way through Mellieha, and the next is another way! Trying to follow an Arriva bus in Mellieha is another kind of nightmare! As an aside, why oh why was the decision ever taken to introduce large buses into Malta when we would have been better served with smaller buses at more frequent intervals.
As for the roadwork, the proof of the pudding will, of course, be in the eating. I hope that all will turn out well in the end. Suggestions? First and foremost time frames have to be respected. Secondly, no change in specifications when none ought to exist. Third, contractors who fail in their obligations should not even dream of applying for similar tenders. Fourth, continuous and constant on-site inspections to ensure that the work is going to plan. Fifth, payment on strict completion terms.
The kind of project envisaged by the Mellieha Bypass is similar to the Luqa project, the Marsa Project, the Cirkewwa Project and the Gozo Projects. All are major projects requiring not only proper planning but strict adherence to a policy of getting the work done fast. I do not like to compare but whenever similar work is attempted in, say, Britain, the work is completed much faster. There has to be an element of control, which is singularly lacking in our roadwork upgrading and construction.
Rather than having a look at the official completion date of the hot air pumped by Authorities , we have got used to sitting back and waiting for the excuses why work has not been finished on time. The contractor still gets paid and the Authorities who commission the work carry on regardless. This is a direct result of the reliance on clientelism and not meritocracy. This has to stop once and for all. We need to introduce a culture of competence and excellence in our country. A culture that refuses to reward incompetence. A culture that strives for the recognition of merit that rewards individuals on the basis of their knowledge and competence and nothing else. This is the only way in which projects large and small can commence and be completed as intended.
At the end of the day it is the man in the street who suffers the brunt of authoritative inaction and incompetence. This has to stop.
Dr Micallef Stafrace is a Labour Party Candidate on the 1st and 8th Districts